Blazing Upheaval Virtual Book Tour

 Describe your writing process. Do you outline, plot, and plan, or is your writing more organic?

To develop my book’s plot and characters, I follow a multifaceted approach:

Draw from Real-life Experiences: My book is deeply rooted in my personal experiences as a teacher during significant events like the Rodney King riots and the Northridge earthquake. I use these events as a backdrop, which provides an authentic and compelling setting.

Focus on Themes and Messages: I start by identifying the core themes and messages I want to convey. For my book, the themes of resilience, community, and healing are central. This helps in guiding the plot and character development.

Character Arcs: I create detailed backstories for my characters, ensuring they have distinct personalities, motivations, and growth arcs. For instance, Tiffany, a character inspired by real-life experiences, evolves as she introduces drumming as a therapeutic tool in her classroom.

Plot Structure: I outline the plot with a clear beginning, middle, and end. This includes key events that drive the story forward and pivotal moments that challenge the characters, allowing them to grow and change. The integration of drumming as a healing tool is a significant plot point that brings the school community together.

Dialogue and Interaction: I develop characters through their interactions and dialogue. This helps to reveal their personalities, relationships, and the dynamics within the school environment. The way students and teachers respond to drumming sessions is a vital part of showing character development and the impact of collective healing.

Emotional and Psychological Depth: I ensure my characters have emotional and psychological depth by exploring their fears, hopes, and coping mechanisms. This is particularly important in a story set against the backdrop of traumatic events.

Iterative Process: Writing is an iterative process. I constantly revise and refine the plot and characters, incorporating feedback and new ideas. This helps in creating a cohesive and engaging narrative.

By combining real-life experiences, thematic focus, and detailed character development, I strive to create a compelling and relatable story that resonates with readers.

 Tell us what you enjoy most about writing thrillers.

I was attracted to the thriller genre because it allows me to build gripping tension, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. This suspenseful storytelling creates an emotional rollercoaster that can be deeply satisfying to craft.

Thrillers often feature morally ambiguous characters, intricate plots, and high-stakes situations. That allows me to explore the darker sides of human nature, psychological depth, and the consequences of ethical choices.

Thrillers typically involve a lot of action and dynamic pacing, which can be exciting for both the writer and the reader. The rapid developments and constant twists challenge my creativity and pacing skills.

I like incorporating real-world problems—crime, corruption, conspiracy, or social injustice—into my stories. This genre can serve as a way to make commentary on society or explore fears and anxieties within a fictional framework.

Writing a thriller can be a way for me to channel my own adrenaline, fears, or intense emotions. The cathartic release of tension for both the writer and the reader is a rewarding aspect of this genre.

Thrillers invite readers to solve puzzles, figure out motives, or predict outcomes, making it a highly interactive genre. I enjoy engaging with an audience that’s constantly questioning what comes next.

The thriller genre provides endless opportunities for surprising twists, red herrings, and unexpected reveals. The unpredictability allows me to exercise my imagination and challenge conventional storytelling techniques.

 Describe Blazing Upheaval for people who are just learning about it.

A teacher and her family struggle to survive tumultuous riots, escalating violence, and civil unrest in this thrilling release from Karen Charles. As their loyalties are put to the ultimate test, horrifying revelations and the cataclysmic Northridge earthquake irrevocably change their lives forever.

 Is there anything you would like people to take away from your book?

Through this book, I hope readers will learn more about these significant events and get a feel for what the people endured, and suffered, and the incredible resilience they showed. These events were not just historical footnotes but lived experiences that profoundly affected individuals and communities. The courage, solidarity, and determination I saw inspired me to capture these moments in a way that honors the real-life heroes who navigated through them.

 What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

When I am not writing, I manage our year-round Airbnb. I love to travel, hike, walk on the beach, hang out with family and friends, and tend to my flower beds and orchids.